Our views are different then. We were first in the queue for one so we could monitor our use and no longer having to call in readings. The main issue I'm aware of is that smart phase 1 meters can't work when changing suppliers and as I have found edf can't read the gas at the moment. They are releasing a software fix for this at some point.
Your right about the meters - can’t be read by other suppliers so when we changed over supplier you end we up supplying the meter reading each month which is a pain that should never have passed the meters design stage. So poor meter man was done out of his job for nothing as the customer ends up doing the reading for free and using his own internet which is not free either.
I have a next door neighbor who is getting on and has no internet connection - how would he do if he changed supplier...
They will use the mobile network to send data. He/she should wait on a smart phase 2 meter which will be able to deal with changes in supplier.
But a smart phase 1meter will receive a software update to allow changes to suppliers to go smoothly. This should be rolled out late this year.
I should say from the information I have seen all smart meters use the mobile network not your WiFi.
I have solar panels. Gas and Electric is £85. And £300per annum back from the panels.
I have a 3 bed house and cost on average £65-70 per month for electric.
11,000kwh per year. A lot, but we’re all electric. Air source heat pump for heating, electric cooker, no gas at all now. Still v high.
I have a 2 bed new build flat and my gas and electric is stupid at like £85 a month. Heating is never on as it retains heat well. There's usually someone home but we don't leave applicances or lights on all the time.
We have a first utility smart meter but I regret it so much, I was pushed onto a higher tariff to have the meters. The Gas one never works so I have to submit manual readings. Before I had them installed, it used to cost us about £45 a month for both.
My charges are as follows:
Electric - 15.024p KWh
Electric standing charge - 27.97p a day
Gas - 3.26KWh
Gas standing charge - 22.56 a day
Last year our 5 bed 'eco' house consummed 11600kwh
House has 14kw of solar which produced around 13750kwh for the same year.
On idle house runs at around 1kwh, avarege usage is 31.7kwh per 24 hr day.
All electric water/heating and with ground source heat pump and MVHR system.
electric bills are around £150 per month.
Very useful benchmark @Kitch.
Our house is similar. 5 bed eco house, air source heat pump, mechanical ventilation and heat recovery system, only 5.7kw of solar. Also around 11.5kwh consumption. PV cuts bills in half for much of year.